The Big Aquarium Adventure - (Alex and Jordan Explore!) by Nancy Roop

About the Book

First hi-lo to access learning differences by neurodivergent kids. Embedded reading comprehension skills with 4th & 5th-grade animal science is accessible to struggling readers. Alex & Jordan explore and write about Stephens adventure!

Book Synopsis

The Big Aquarium Adventure is the first in the hi-lo series from Alex and Jordan Explores! Its developmental format is real, relatable, and relevant!

Do you know a reader struggling with comprehension?

Do they have a learning disability?

Are they neurodivergent?

This book can help them!

1. Reading comprehension skills and routines are embedded!
2. Kids learn to pause and think about what they are reading.
3. Sensory friendly colors, fonts, and themes are comfortable.

Stephen, a fourth grader, visits the Big Aquarium to look at wild sea animals. He wasn't expecting to see frogs since they live on land. Then, someone asks Stephen to touch another sea animal that he doesn't know, and his body feels so scared that his hands are shaking. What will Stephen do next?

Find out, as his fifth-graders Alex and Jordan explore and write about Stephen's big adventure! They interview, research, and create a story. Then they finish up with a letter to the reader inviting them to check out the resources in the back of the book including story mountains, questions, and a how-to interview activity.

Note: Although this book features characters who are neurodivergent, it is not mentioned directly. However, illustrations and themes subtly depict a person managing sensory-processing disorder.

Educational features are:

• upper elementary school content in science and social studies
• vocabulary, connections to reader, prediction, and reflection
• social emotional learning and cultural awareness
• evidence-based Language Arts resources

And, it has amazing art that's fun to read!

It is safe to say that this book is written for and about neurodivergent kids, anyone ready for early chapter books will be drawn to the animal facts and Stephen's story in The Big Aquarium Adventure.

Review Quotes

"Each character provides young readers with a new lesson: Stephen delves into ways to quail fear, how to say no when feeling uncomfortable, and calming anxiety; Alex, the young reporter, highlights ways to interview through insightful questions and securing proper consent when sharing someone else's story; and Jordan explores the skill of research to be sure that the accurate knowledge is being provided."

-- Booklife Review

"He also shares a helpful method for dealing with anxiety to avoid breaking down in public places. Also included in the book are activities and questions that enable introspection and interactive discussions. And Jordan's research and report, influenced by Stephen's account, is a handy template of what a report should contain."

-- Foreword Clarion Reviews

"The format very cleverly builds in repetition of vocabulary and science concepts in a way that involves the reader in problem-solving strategies and thinking activities that neurodiverse students need to learn to use."

-- Linda Hodgdon, CCC-SLP, author, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication

"To describe this as a chapter book does not do it justice. The integration of comprehension prompts enables young readers to engage actively with the text and strengthen their comprehension skills in a natural, accessible way."

-- Patty Ruhfus, MEd., Reading Specialist at PGR Teaches

"This book is wonderful for guiding para educators through the process of shared reading. Emotional regulation and shared experiences are key for students to be able to learn in the classroom, and Stephen is a great role model!"

-- Megan Cavanaugh, MA.SPEd., QBHP, Special Ed Teacher